I’m just a regular ol’ mid-handicapper, so you know I often see my share of bad golf scores.
Sure, it’s frustrating to go from a string of pars to a double or even triple bogey, but the key is to maintain your composure, regroup, refocus, and move on from any mistakes — which, admittedly, is not one of my strengths.
Too frequently, I stew over mishits and blow up holes, and start to worry about what I need to do to salvage my round from getting too out of control. When this happens, I play tense and experience even worse results!
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But there are keys to bouncing back from bad golf scores and saving your scorecard (and sanity) from utter disaster — you’ve just got to know what they are and hot to actually apply them.
To help, I tapped GOLF Teacher to Watch Dr. Alison Curdt to provide some tips on how to avoid a snowball of bad golf after one hole goes south on you. Take a look below to see what she has to say.
How to bounce back after a bad golf score
No matter how good of a player you are, every golfer encounters frustrating moments on the course — which can lead them to lose their focus and post higher scores. But an entire round shouldn’t nosedive after just one bad hole, says Curdt.
“Whether it’s a sudden hook into the rough, or a triple bogey that sends your score skyrocketing, how you recover mentally from these setbacks can make or break your golf game,” she adds.
“As a golf teacher and sports psychotherapist with decades of experience, I’ve witnessed countless players struggle with bouncing back from adversity on the course. But by using these three invaluable strategies, you’ll gain the ability to reset your focus, improve your confidence, and settle your composure after a bad golf score.”
Embrace the power of positive self-talk
After a disastrous hole, it’s natural for negative thoughts to creep into your mind — leading many players to question their abilities and testing their resolve. The berating self-critic can get pretty loud in your head, which only creates doubt and emotional reactions.
However, mastering the art of productive self-talk can be a game-changer. Instead of dwelling on your mistakes, consciously shift your internal dialogue to focus on constructive and encouraging statements. Remind yourself of your strengths, past successes, and the countless times when you’ve overcome challenges on the course.
By simply cultivating a mindset rooted in optimism and self-belief, you’ll regain the mental resilience needed to tackle the remainder of your round with renewed determination.
Adopt a ritual of resetting
In moments of frustration, it’s easy to let emotions cloud your judgment and derail your performance — which is why I always recommend having a deliberate ritual of resetting, which will prove invaluable.
Some people simply take a deep breath or visualize a calming scene, whereas others perform a physical routine such as adjusting their glove or tapping the club. Whatever you find calming, find a reset ritual that works for you.
This simple act is a powerful one, and serves as a psychological cue to let go of past mistakes and refocus your attention on the present shot. By incorporating this ritual into your game, you’ll cultivate a sense of control and composure, enabling you to approach the rest of your round with a clear mind and a steady hand.
Focus on the process, not the outcome
How many golfers only focus on the outcome? I’d say a very good amount — especially amateur players, who don’t always understand the process in order to execute a great shot.
So rather than fixate on the score, especially a bad one, start focusing on the process you take before playing each shot. By doing so, you’ll shift your mind from dwelling on the bogey or double bogey you just carded and, instead, lock in on executing the next shot you face and the application of your pre-shot routine.
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Golf is filled with uncontrollable situations, so accepting those and concentrating on what you have control of is the best way to relax and take back your golf game, helping you regain a sense of purpose and direction on the course.
Remember, golf is a game of precision and patience, and success ultimately hinges on your ability to stay present and execute each shot with intentionality. By embracing the journey and trusting your own skills, you’ll find that a bad golf score is merely a temporary setback on the path to improvement and success.
Bouncing back from a bad hole requires a combination of mental fortitude, resilience, and strategic thinking. But by incorporating the above skills, you’ll stay ahead of any negativity or spiraling, leading to more fun and lower scores. After all, it’s not the mistakes we make, but how we respond to them that ultimately defines our success as golfers.
